The Taste of Night by R.L. Stine Page B

started todrag her across the parking lot toward the woods.
    â€œHey—let go!” Destiny screamed, unable to hide her panic. “What are you doing?”
    â€œWe’ll be together,” Livvy growled, saliva running down her fangs. “You and me. Together.”
    Destiny grabbed Livvy’s arms and tried to pull them off her. But Livvy held onto her tightly and dragged her over the gravel toward the tall trees.
    â€œYou and me,” Livvy rasped. “Just the way you want it, Dee.”
    â€œLet go! Let go!” Destiny pleaded.
    Livvy pressed her mouth against the back of Destiny’s neck. “You and me—forever,” she whispered.

chapter fourteen
THE TASTE OF NIGHT
    LIVVY HELD ON TIGHT AS DESTINY SQUIRMED AND struggled to free herself. Finally, she gave Dee’s hair a hard tug—and let her go.
    Destiny staggered forward several steps. Then she spun around to face her sister. “Were you…were you…” She struggled to catch her breath. “What were you doing? Were you just trying to scare me?”
    Livvy grinned at her. She made loud sucking noises with her fangs. “Want to stay and find out?”
    Trembling, Destiny studied her for a long moment. Then she turned and ran across the parking lot.
    Livvy watched her sister run away. Her heart was pounding in her chest. She suddenly felt dizzy.
    I’m so confused. My feelings are all mixed up.
    I always loved Destiny. Do I really hate her now?
    Is it because she’s trying to ruin my new life?
    I made my choice. Why can’t she leave me alone?
    Livvy turned and saw Patrick watching her from the club exit. She slid her fangs back into her gums. Then she straightened her hair and forced a sexy smile to her face.
    â€œThere you are,” he called, taking those long strides toward her. “I thought maybe you split or something.”
    â€œNo way.” She took his arm. “It’s nice out, huh?”
    He nodded. She liked his serious, dark eyes, the way they seemed to lock on her as if holding her captive.
    The clouds floated away from the moon, and pale light washed over them. “I like the moonlight,” he said, glancing up at the sky.
    â€œHow old are you?” she asked, leaning against him, guiding him to the trees.
    â€œOld enough,” he said. “How old did you think I was?”
    â€œI don’t know. Inside the club, you looked sixteen. But now you look older.” She let her hand slide down his arm and gripped his hand. “I’m going to be eighteen soon.”
    â€œAre you in college?” he asked. Their shoes crunched over the gravel. He didn’t wait for her to answer. He turned and kissed her. He held her chin in his hand and kissed her long and deep.
    Yes, she thought. And as she kissed him, a strange phrase played through her mind…
    The taste of night.
    The taste of night .
    Where did it come from? She didn’t know. But she knew she was enjoying it tonight—the taste of night. The taste of the cool, fresh air and the moonlight, the taste of his lips, the taste of an exciting, new adventure. And in a few moments…the taste of blood.
    It was all part of the taste of night.
    I’m totally into him, she thought. I mean I’m really attracted to him. He’s so good looking and mysterious and sexy.
    We just met, but I already have strong feelings for him, she realized.
    Almost as strong as my thirst…
    He pulled his face away. They were both breathing hard. He still had his hand on her chin. “Where are you leading me?” he asked.
    She grinned. “Astray?”
    He laughed. A big laugh that seemed to come from deep inside him.
    â€œI thought we’d take a walk in the woods,” Livvy said. “Such a nice night. We can talk. It’s so peaceful out here.”
    â€œYou’re an outdoors-type person? You like to camp?”
    â€œNot really,” she replied. “But I like to do